Is Latest U.S. Drop in Press Freedom Rankings Due to Obama’s Attacks on Whistleblowers/Journalists?
The United States has long prided itself on having a supportive atmosphere for the media to operate and uncover the news. But an international group of journalists say the U.S. reputation for press freedom has plummeted this year, leaving the country behind others not known for promoting the fourth estate.
According to the World Press Freedom Index, the U.S. now ranks 46th in the world. Last year, it ranked 33rd.
Today, countries like Ghana, Poland, and El Salvador rank higher for press freedom than the U.S.
Reporters Without Borders, which produces the annual rankings, says the decline in U.S. position is due to the Barack Obama administration crackdown on whistleblowers who have leaked classified information to journalists.
The administration, in fact, has gone after more whistleblowers through criminal prosecution than any other presidential administration in history.
http://www.allgov.com/news/us-and-the-world/is-latest-us-drop-in-press-freedom-rankings-due-to-obamas-attacks-on-whistleblowers-and-journalists-for-their-sources-140214?news=852436&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
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http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=368504&CategoryId=23558
El Salvador’s High Court Deals Blow to Press Freedom
SAN SALVADOR – El Salvador’s Supreme Court ruled that the media and television station owners, editors and managers may be brought to trial for slander, injury or defamation in a decision interpreted as a blow against press freedom.
The high court’s Constitutional Chamber issued a 4-1 decision on Friday regarding the “unconstitutionality” of the third clause within Article 191 of the Criminal Code, which guarantees protection against criminal rulings against the press, Supreme Court spokesman Mario Larin said.
In reaction to the ruling, the country’s main dailies, including El Diario de Hoy, La Prensa Grafica and El Mundo, agreed that the decision constitutes a “blow to freedom of expression.”
“The ruling of four justices will foment fear and intolerance,” warned El Diario de Hoy, while El Mundo wrote that “it removes the protection from owners, managers, editors and people in charge” of media outlets.
